The USF Sarasota-Manatee College of Business (COB) has taken its first steps toward creating a program worthy of becoming the undergraduate Honors College of Business Education for the State of Florida. This spring 2014 semester, Dean Robert Anderson designated a section of the capstone course as an honors section. Faculty from each discipline within the COB selected students who were encouraged to apply based upon their academic performance and class standing. Each was given a merit award and a certificate acknowledging their academic success.

Led by the dean, six students participated in the inaugural course, consisting of roundtable discussions facilitated by guest speakers from the business community along with required readings, individual research and student presentations of their final theses. The students and their thesis topics include:

Sarah Arscott: “Mandatory Audit Firm Rotation Concept”

Kathleen Banson-Verrico: “Alternatives to the Current Income Tax System—Who Wins, Who Loses”

Christina Mascitto: “How Leading/Coaching, Not Just Managing, Can Create a More Dynamic and Progressive Organization”

Jane Poppa-Deis: “Corporate Social Responsibility and Its Impact on Society”

Nickolas Wagner: “Corporate Responsibility Beyond Maximizing Profits”

Dean Anderson awarded “Best Thesis” plaques to Elizabeth Greene and Kathleen Banson-Verrico based upon the decision of the faculty committee. “The USFSM College of Business is creating future business leaders with the ability to anticipate and facilitate change, think critically, manage skillfully and expand their knowledge and perspective in our dynamic and changing world,” said Dean Anderson. The COB is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by less than five percent of the world’s business programs.